Putin offers to discuss Ukraine security guarantees, names China as potential guarantor
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump he is willing to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. He also mentioned a specific country as a potential guarantor, Axios informs.
"Putin did say he was willing to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine," an Axios source said.
However, Axios noted that Putin mentioned China as one of the possible guarantors. This could signal that the Kremlin leader opposes security arrangements consisting of NATO troops.
Meeting in Alaska and security guarantees for Ukraine
On the night of July 15–16, Trump and Putin met in Alaska. The meeting lasted several hours. Afterward, the leaders held a press conference and made several statements.
The statements were general and offered no specific details. After the press conference, both leaders left for their planes and departed Alaska.
Soon after, Trump gave an interview to Fox News, spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, and posted several updates on social media.
Media reports indicated that Putin was reportedly willing to halt military operations in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions if the Armed Forces of Ukraine fully withdrew from Donbas. The US side also interpreted that Putin was open to discussing the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
During discussions with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said he was ready to provide security guarantees based on NATO principles, though this would not constitute a direct NATO mission.
Based on official statements and media reports, Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Washington on Monday to discuss ending the war, including talks on the proposed security guarantees.
